Apparatus for molding cementitious



Jan. 15, 1935. I. 511255 APPARATUS FOR MOLDING CEMENTITIOUS BLOCKS Filed Dec. 10, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 15, 1935. A I, STEES 1,987,874

APPARATUS F 'OR MOLDING CEMENTITIOUS BLOCKS Filed Dec. 10, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 15, 1935 UNITED STATES APPARATUS FOR MOLDING CEMENTIITIOUS BLOCKS 7 Isaac Stees, Harrisburg, Pa. Application December 10, 1932, Serial No. 646,678

' 4 Claims. (01. 25-120) This invention relates to a method and apparatus for molding cementitious blocks, and it is primarily an object of the invention to provide novel means whereby there may be efiectively produced a block of this kind of a perforated type and wherein the material or mix is poured into the mold in what is known to the trade as Another object ofthe invention is to provide a method and apparatus for the production of perforated cementitious blocks wherein pins are employed to produce .the desired perforations or openings together with means allowing the ready release of the block after setting but while still green from the pins with a consequent easy and effective removal of the block from the mold.

The invention also'has for an object to provide a method and apparatus for molding an initially liquid cementitious material into a perforated block and wherein the block when removed from the mold but still resting on a palette; may dry out within a minimum of time.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts ofmy improved apparatus for molding cementitiousblocks whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered. simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure l is a view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating a mold constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention 40 and also illustrating several steps of the method;

Figure 2 is a view in perspective of the palette as herein employed;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 38 of Figure 1 with certain of the parts in elevation;

Figure 4 is a view somewhat similar to Figure 3 but showing certain of the parts in diflerent positions and also illustrating further steps of the method.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, the mold proper comprises side walls 1 of desired dimensions and which have their lower marginal portions connected by a bottom wall 2. Resting V 7 upon the bottom wall 2 and interposed between 66 and connected to the side walls 1 are the-spaced partition plates 3 whereby the mold is divided into a plurality of molding chambers. It is preferred that the partitions 3 have their upper edges terminate below the upper edges of the side walls 1. F I

Carried byand extending upwardly in desired placement from the bottom wall 2 within each of the molding chambers are the pins 4 inwardly tapering from their lower to their upper ends. These pins are of preferred diameters and have, their upper ends flat and flush with the upper edges of the partition walls 3. r A

Each of the molding chambers is adapted to have placed therein a palette P. This palette comprises a plate 5 which when in applied or working position rests directly uponthe bottom wall 2 of the mold chamber and the plate 5 is pro: vided-with the properly positioned openings 6 through which'the pins 4 within a mold chamber are directed. These openings 6 are each of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the base end portion of the pin 4 which passes through such opening. i The palette P is of a width and length to snugly fit within a mold chamber and the ends thereof are defined by the upstanding plates '7 extending entirely thereacross and of a length terminating a desired distance above the side walls 1 of the mold. The upper end portionsof these plates 7 are defined by the outstanding flanges 8 substantially perpendicular to the plates 'l-and at'its central portion each of these flanges 8 has disposed transversely thereacross the vent groove or channel9 for a purpose'to be hereinafter more particularly referred to. As particularly illustrated in- Figure 2 it is to be notedthat eachof these channels or grooves 9 terminates in a notch or recess 10 provided in the outer longitudinal edge of the flange 8. Each of the plates 7 of the palette P is adapted to have disposed over its inner ends a separable or auxiliary end plate 11; the upper marginal portion of which'being provided with an outstanding flange 12 whichengages or rests from above upon the flange 8 of the associated end wall or plate 7 whe'reby'the plate 11 is suspended or supported in applied position.

The outer margin of the flange 12 is defined by a depending flange 14 which butts the outer edge of the flange 8 whereby effective means are provided for'initially holding the plate 11 in desired applied or working position or, namely, to assure the plate 11 initially when applied having close contact with its associated end plate? of the palette P. Each of these plates -11 in its rear face and at substantially the transverse center of the plate is provided therealong from end to end with a vent groove or channel 15 the upper end of which when the plate 11 is applied registering with the vent groove or channel 9 of a flange 8 of the palette. It is also to be noted that each of the plates 11 is of a length to terminate slightly above the bottom wall 2 of the mold chamber when saidplate 11 is in applied or working position.

The flanges} of the palette P are adapted to have engaged therewith from below a suitable grapple G so that uniform strain or pull may be imposed upon the oppositeendx-portiOnscf'the palette P when it is desired to remove said palette and the block set thereon from withinv a mold chamber. As herein disclosed, thisgrapp'le G is" carried by an end portion of a lever 16. This lever 16 is engaged at a desired point intermediate its ends with a fulcrum strip or bar 17, the end portions;of which being-adapted to be set upon the flanges '8 of a-palette within a "mold chamber adjacent to a mold chamber from which the palette Pfand its set block is to -be lifted or'rernoved.

By producing'a block in accordance with my improvedr-methodand apparatus the palette P is first; positioned within a mold chamber with the plate ;5 in;.dir ect contact with the bottom wall 2 of suchchamber and the pins 4 of the chamber directed through the openings 6 as is clearly illuss hezr h b ns i n of Figure 1 the accompanying drawings. I The separate or sun iar ie d' Plates a t e applied in m ergpqsition with respect to the end plates '7 of the palette P-whereupon the cementitious material in liquid form. is poured within the mold chamberand snioothed or topped off in the regular way astriker plate18. The striker plate lfiis of a length to extend entirely across the mold (memberv and its working: margin constitutes a st aigh t edge as is well knownj In Figure 4 of the drawings this strikerlplate 18 is illustrated but in such figure the plate is shown as being employed for -apurpose other 5 than smoothing or tapping off th e materialia'fter'being' poured within the: mold chamber.

The grooves or channels 15 andf9 allow the ready; escape of air: which 'might otherwise be trapped withinthe mold chamber with the possible result of affecting the quality or character of: the molded block. h) The naterial is allowed'to setwithin the mold chamber fpr aperiod of fro'infour to six hours in atemperature or appro'i'iiniatel'y seventy degrees. A't this' tim'e'th'e material has set but is still inagreen state'although' it has sufficiently solidified to anew without'injury its further handjling The grapple G is then engaged with the flangesfa, of thepaletteP' and by proper action of the levers l fi the grapple G is caused to slightly lift the palette Rand the block as particularly illustrated; at the left handside of Figure 1 and in Figures. This action effects a separation or-a breaking of the material from the'pins 4. The palette P with the block thereon is then allowed to again lower upon the bottom wall 2 of the mold chamber whereupon the supplemental or auxiliary platesll are removed and which step is indicated at the left hand side of Figure 4 of the drawings. In removing each of these plates-11 the striker plate 18' is placed upon the top of the block with itsstraight edge in close-contact-with the inner face ofthe plate '11. Thisassuresthe desired withdrawal of the plate 11 without creating a lip or-ridge at the upper end edge of the block.

Before removing the plates 11 the grapple G is removed but returned into desired contact with the flanges 8 after such removal of the plates 11. The lever 16 is then operated to lift the palette P and the block set thereon. After the palette has been raised a desired distance by the lever 16 an operator may readily grasp the flanges 8 and continue the further required lifting of the palette P to manually remove the same entirely from the mold chamber.

The consistency or the cemenuudus material at the time of the removal of the palette and the "block thereon from within the mold chamber is :such as to assure the walls of the openings through the block as provided by the pins 4 being smooth.

After the palette P with the block thereon has 'beenr'emoved the palette is set preferably upon "crossed-cleats so that circulation of air may be had through the openings 6 of the plate 5 of the pal'ette'l and the perforations or openings formed in the block and,.in addition to this, it is to be statedthat air will readily flow between the end faces of the block and the end plates 7, said spaces being the result of'thef removal of the plates 11. It .is,-therefore, to be understood that the block issubjected to 'efiecti'vedrying action. After the block has been further dried as desired the block is removed from the palette to allow such palette to be again employed.

In't'h'e present embodiment of my invention and as particularly illustrated in Figure '1 ofthe drawing'sin usingthe lever 16 the fulcrum strip or bar l'l'is restecl upon theflanges 12.0r 8 of the plates 11' and '7 respectively within a mold chamberadj'acent to the mold-chamber in. which the palette P and block thereon is being lifted.

The lower'end portions of the side plates 1 at substantially the transverse center of each of the mold chainbers-areprovided with the openings 19 normally closedb'y' the plugs'20preferably threaded withinthe openings 19. .In cleaning a mold chamber, which is generally done .by .a stream of water underpres'sure, the removalof the plugs 20 racmtates this cleaning operation as the desired flushing will be materially facilitated by flow outthrough the openings 1-9.

"From the.foregoingdescription it is thought to be obvious't'hat'an apparatus for molding cementi'tious blocks constructed in accordance with my. inventionisl particularly well adapted for use by'r'e'ason of the convenience and facility with w hichi't may be assembled and -operated,.and it will also be-obvious thatmy invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the/principles and-spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the precise arrangement'and formation of'the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

1 claim:

1. A molding apparatus comprising 'a mold chamber having side and endwallsand abottom wall, upstanding pins carried by the'bottom wall, a palette adapted to snugly engage--within the mold chamber and to' rest upon the: bottomwall thereof .sai'd'palettehaving openings for the passage of the pins andhaving'end'walls terminating above the adjacent walls of the mold chamber when the'pa'lette is resting upon the bottomwall of the mold chamber; the upperportions of v the end walls of the palettehaving means-allowing pull to'be imposed upon the'end walls to raise the palette upalong the pins and free of the mold chamber,--and-separate auxiliary-plates for'placement within the mold chamber to overlie the end walls of the palette.

2. A molding apparatus comprising a mold chamber having side and end walls and a bottom wall, upstanding pins carried by the bottom wall, a palette adapted to snugly engage within the mold chamber and to rest upon the bottom wall thereof, said palette having openings for the passage of the pins and having end walls terminating above the adjacent walls of the mold chamber when the palette is resting upon the bottom wall of the mold chamber, the upper portions of the end walls of the palette having means allowing pull to be imposed upon the end walls to raise the palette up along the pins and free of the mold chamber, and separate auxiliary plates for placement within the mold chamber to overlie the end walls of the palette, said supplemental plates having means allowing the same to be withdrawn independently of the palette.

3. A molding apparatus comprising a mold chamber having side and end walls and a bottom wall, upstanding pins carried by the bottom Wall, a palette adapted to snugly engage within the mold chamber and to rest upon the bottom Wall thereof, said palette having openings for the passage of the pins and having end walls terminating above the adjacent walls of the mold chamber when the palette is resting upon the bottom wall of the mold chamber, the upper to overlie the end walls of the palette, the upper portions of the end walls of the palette and of the supplemental plates having coacting means for maintaining the supplemental plates in applied position.

4. A molding apparatus comprising a mold chamber having side and end walls and a bottom wall, upstanding pins carried by the bottom wall, a palette adapted to snugly engage within the mold chamber and to rest upon the bottom wall thereof, said palette having openings for the passage of the pins and having end walls terminating above the adjacent walls of the mold chamber when the palette is resting upon the bottom wall of the mold chamber, the upper portions of the end walls of the palette having means allowing pull to be imposed upon the end walls to raise the palette up along the pins and free of the mold chamber, separate auxiliary plates for placement within the mold chamber to overlie the end walls of the palette, and air venting channels extending along the faces of the supplemental plates of the palette opposed to the adjacent walls of the mold chamber.

ISAAC STEES. 

